January Issue 2012: Box office news

"Full coverage...comprehensive, detailed, and concise box office news." ICN

In a year with so many sequels and 3D films, the total North American 2011 gross decreased to $10.17 billion from 2010’s $10.57 billion, a significant difference of approximately $400 million. 2011’s yearly gross ranks as the third-highest grossing year ever, which is behind both 2009 and 2010. However, 2011 was behind in a big way from the very start. 2010 benefited greatly from the fact that Avatar, a film released in December 2009, grossed more than $478 million during 2010. Since an Avatar-level blockbuster doesn't occur every year, it's no shock that 2011 basically wasn't able to catch up. And here are the statistical data:

·         January 1 - December 31, 2011: $10,180,000,000

·         January 1 - December 31, 2010: $10,570,500,000

·         Total Decrease: $390,500,000, -3.7%(from 2010)

·         Estimated Attendance Decrease: 4.5%

Top 9 highest-grossing films of 2011 in North America:

#	Movie Title	Total gross	Theatre	Opening
1	Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2	$381,011,219	4,375	$169,189,427
2	Transformers: Dark of the Moon	$352,390,543	4,088	$97,852,865
3	The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1	$279,897,264	4,066	$138,122,261
4	The Hangover Part II	$254,464,305	3,675	$85,946,294
5	Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides	$241,071,802	4,164	$90,151,958
6	Fast Five	$209,837,675	3,793	$86,198,765
7	Cars 2	$191,452,396	4,115	$66,135,507
8	Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol	$191,065,602	3,555	$12,785,204
9	Thor	$181,030,624	3,963	$65,723,338

For the first month of 2012, many new movies are expected to hit theatres with grosses above $50 million for each film. Although many of the new films can’t bring about the same revenue as that of January 2010, it is still worth noting that some of the films are well-received from critics. The movies of January 2012 and the beginning of February are as follows:

1)    Underworld: Awakening In 3D (19 Jan, 2012)

The Underworld franchise has never been very successful in global figures, but compared to its low budget many of the films have out-grossed there budget. For some studios, films which have grossed more than double or triple the production budget have been appealing and considered to be profitable. An exemplar of this is the Underworld movies. The first Underworld film grossed $95.7 million globally with $52.0 from North American markets and $43.7 million from international markets. The film’s production budget was estimated to be around $22 million which means the total revenue of the film was four times more than its budget. The same trend was followed for the 2^nd and 3^rd film. However, the latest film in the series will be released in 3D. With higher-ticket pricing, the film may become the highest-grossing entry in the film both globally and internationally. Worldwide Forecast: $130 million


2)    Contraband (26 Jan, 2012)

With an R rating, Contraband doesn’t seem to have the large group of fans that PG films would have but it still has some attractive energy for adults. Although the film doesn’t have a very good rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes (48% approval rating), audience ratings are better with 66% positive. As of January 20, 2012, the film has grossed $33,823,270 globally, with 95.6% of the total revenue from North American markets. The film is poised to gross around $85 million worldwide. Worldwide Forecast: $85 million

Synopsis: Chris Farraday long ago abandoned his life of crime but after his brother-in-law, Andy, botches a drug deal for his ruthless boss, Tim Briggs, Chris is forced back into doing what he does best- running contraband-to settle Andy's debt.




3)    One for the Money (26 Jan, 2012)

Starring one of the many booming stars—Katherine Heigl--, One for the Money has the potential to gross more than $75 million. Although Katherine’s previous movie—The Killers—wasn’t a big hit, this film appears to be a turning point for Katherine.  North American grosses will depend on the success of Man on a Ledge since both movies are released at the same time in the USA and Canada.

Worldwide Forecast: $79 million

Synopsis: A proud, born-and-bred Jersey girl, Stephanie Plum's got plenty of attitude, even if she's been out of work for the last six months and just lost her car to a debt collector.

4)    Man On a Ledge (2 Feb, 2012)

 Coming out as a totally new movie, Man on a Ledge aims at opening with $8 million at the North American box-office. However, in a global point of view, it should gross more than $65 million. Man on a Ledge may end up grossing similar to Phone Booth which is in the same genre as of Man on a Ledge. However, ticket prices have increased approximately $2 since 2003. So a higher debut wouldn’t be much of a surprise. Moreover, the international market has grown larger since 2003, suggesting an increase in international grosses. Overall, the film looks well-prepared in order to gross more than $95 million worldwide. Worldwide Forecast: $100 million

Synopsis: An ex-cop and now wanted fugitive (Sam Worthington) stands on the ledge of a high-rise building while a hard-living New York Police Department negotiator (Elizabeth Banks)tries to talk him down. The longer they are on the ledge, the more she realizes that he might have an ulterior objective. 

5)    Chronicle (9 Feb, 2012)

Being the first super-hero film of the year, it seems to have quite a lot of energy in it in order to attract young and avid fans. Chronicle seems to be very similar to Push which grossed a disappointing $48 million. Moreover, without any good marketing the film will not be able to gross good amounts. Worldwide Forecast: $66 million

Synopsis: Three high school students make an incredible discovery, leading to their developing uncanny powers beyond their understanding. As they learn to control their abilities and use them to their advantage, their lives start to spin out of control, and their darker sides begin to take over. 

6)    Star Wars: Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace In 3D (9 Feb, 2012)

With the recent success of 3D re-releases, Star Wars: Episode 1 has a high chance to gross around $100 million worldwide which will add to its amazing total revenue of $924,317,558, totaling up to $1,024,317,558. If this film is successful then the whole saga is expected to be re-released in 3D. Worldwide Forecast: $96 million

Edward Ghazaley